The Summit of the Americas is underway in Argentina, and like previous Summits, protesters turned out in force. Ten thousand people have turned out to voice their concern about the un-democratic trade the OAS has in place. Some of the protesters are celebrities and nobel-prize winning intellectuals.
The protest was directed primarily towards to President Bush.
Orhan Pamuk is a famous writer from Turkey who is challenging freedom of expression in his country. In daring to comment about the genocide of thousands in Turkey he is now facing prosecution for the ‘public denigration of Turkish identity’. If convicted, Pamuk faces three years in prison, even longer if he publicly discusses his case before it goes to trial in December.
‘I said loud and clear that one million Armenians and 30,000 Kurds were killed in Turkey, and I stand by that. For me, these are scholarly issues,’ said Pamuk. ‘I am a novelist. I address human suffering and pain and it is obvious, even in Turkey, that there was an immense hidden pain which we now have to face.’
In finding the courage to speak out about his views on freedom of expression Orhan is creating a stir all throughout Turkey. The International community is taking notice of his case as well and this week he is being awarded with the German Peace Prize.
When people in the public eye challenge oppression and human rights violations it is a huge and bold step toward creating change.
‘It goes without saying that I stand by my words,’ he’s said in recent interviews. ‘And even more, I stand by my right to say them.’
Actress Angelina Jolie has recently been presented with the Global Humanitarian Award from The United Nations Association of the U.S.A. for her work in aiding refugees all over the Globe.
She first became involved with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) after travelling to the small African country of Sierra Leone, which has been devastated by years of civil war. After witnessing the suffering and challenges that refugees face she chose to use her noteriety as a highly popular actress to aid in their cause.
Angelina has visited more than 20 countries to talk personally to refugees and has also become highly regarded for her activism before senior political and economic leaders in arguing the protection of refugees. She has served as a voice for millions of displaced people all over the Globe.
UN High Commisioner for refugees António Guterres said in his congratulatory message “The depth of your dedication and commitment inspires many others, especially the legions of young people who admire you, to think about how they too can help to make the world a better place.”
In a small town in Ontario, Canada a small, but healthy war is raging. A healthy food cafeteria in a school is trying to out-do a junk-food cafe in the same school.
It appears to have met with some sucess.
Thanks, Ben Powers!
eRideShare.com is a site that allows people to coordinate efforts to go somewhere. It’s designed for travelers, commuters and mostly anything in-between.
Unfortunately the site is only available to those in North America. But a lot of driving is done on that continent so it’s for the best I guess.
By carpooling one can save money, the environment and meet new people all in one! There are other websites that offer the same service.
